The answer is quite a lot! Our committee in April looked at your responses and, without making any formal decisions, thought it was worth pursuing. (An extract from the report, updated, is included below).
We've already had two longer rides in April and May. Now it's time for a longer - and faster-paced ride. The full details are included in the announcement for the 22nd May A Group ride from Dorking below.
A Group Rides - Responses to an email survey on 30th December 2018.
As part of the preparation of the 2019 Annual Rides Plan the A group were advised of some initiatives regarding longer rides: it was suggested that these rides, and potentially others, could be at a faster pace. (A faster pace could be around 14mph). For example such a ride could be held once a month during the summer (April to September), and would be up to the ride leader to announce such a ride on the blog. Views were sought on this idea.
The Response.
Of the 32 A group members contacted, 19 responded. Of these, 13 supported the initiative; 3 were broadly in agreement, subject to provisions; 2 were opposed to making any changes; and 1 expressed no view. Therefore, half of A group riders were supportive, in some form or another, of longer / faster-paced rides.
What People Said.
Comments made by respondents included:-
* the knock-on effect of those not wishing to participate in such a ride,
* some idea of numbers?
* riders shouldn’t be dropped,
* the need for more leaders if the A group was split for longer rides,
* could slower riders be detached after lunch - to ride separately?
* faster As could be seen as elitist - a big jump from faster As to Bs
* As dropping down to Bs would worsen the already large Bs,
* implies the need for a separate, new A- or B+ group,
* the need for an earlier start for such rides,
* riders need to know the route on faster-paced rides,
* drop slower riders to the back marker,
* keep to flat roads for faster paced rides/avoid hillier routes.
What happens Next?
To reflect this outcome it is suggested that:-
* one longer / faster pace A ride takes place from April to September,
* the ride leader announce such a ride in good time on the blog,
* A riders express intention to participate in such rides,
* if necessary the B ride be split to accommodate extra A riders dropping down to Bs,
* if appropriate a separate lunch venue be planned to accommodate a separate B group
Longer / Faster paced rides.
On 22nd May the first faster-paced - as well as longer ride, is planned to the coast and back. (See details below). The Shoreham Century - a longer ride - is in the Rides List for the 12th June, and on 19th June - the Tri-Vets ride, will have a mix of longer and faster paced rides. On 26th June a longer ride, going to the North West, is planned from a new venue at Egham. With Guildford on 14th August regarded as a longer ride, further longer / faster paced rides could be planned for July and September.
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